Swallow
As a Verb
- To move food, liquid, or saliva from the mouth to the stomach by contracting the throat muscles.
- To accept something, especially with difficulty, such as bad news or an unpleasant truth.
- To take in or absorb completely, as in swallowing emotions or suppressing reactions.
- To cause something to disappear or be engulfed.
As a Noun
- The act of swallowing something.
- A small, fast-flying bird known for its forked tail and long, pointed wings.
As Other Form
- Swallowed (Verb – Past Tense): The action of having taken something down the throat.
- Swallowing (Verb – Present Participle): The process of taking something in through the throat.
Word History
The word swallow comes from Old English swelgan, meaning “to gulp down or absorb.” The bird name “swallow” comes from Old English swalwe, related to similar terms in Germanic languages.
Examples
- He took a sip of water and swallowed the pill. (Verb)
- She had to swallow her pride and apologize. (Verb)
- The darkness seemed to swallow the small cottage. (Verb)
- The birdwatcher spotted a swallow flying over the lake. (Noun)
- He took a large swallow of coffee before speaking. (Noun)
Synonyms
Ingest, gulp, absorb, accept, engulf
Related Words
Consume, devour, suppress, assimilate
Antonyms
Spit, reject, release, expel
